Business Licenses

License Application Information

Businesses located in Gilroy are required to complete a Business License Application form and a Supplemental Business Information Form. Home-based businesses located within the city limits of Gilroy also need to apply for a Home Occupation Permit. A business representative will need to come to City Hall located at 7351 Rosanna Street with your business information completed on the application page. Start at the Planning Counter in Community Development to obtain approval signatures. Signatures can only be obtained from 1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m., Monday - Friday (except holidays). Once all signatures are obtained proceed to the Finance Window for payment and final processing by 4:30 PM. An exception is made for out-of-town-businesses who may submit or mail the application directly to Finance between 8:00 AM and 4:30 PM.

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Food Based Businesses

All businesses that provide and/or prepare food shall also obtain a signature from a Health Inspector from the Santa Clara County Department of Environmental Health. Contact the DEH at 408-918-3400 for more information.

The following businesses are also required to obtain a signature from the Gilroy Police Department:

Card Rooms

Gambling Parlors

Dance Halls

Arcade Entertainment

Adult Books / Video

Gun / Ammunition Sales

Bars

Palm Reading / Psychic Counseling

Tattoo Parlors

Massage / Spa Services

Smoking Parlors

Contact the Police Administration at 408-846-0367.

BUSINESSES NOT LOCATED IN GILROY (such as contractors or other out of town services that come to the customer location in Gilroy).
Complete only the Application Form and process in person at the Finance window or these can also be sent in by mail. Please contact Licensing at 408-846-0420.

CONDUCTING BUSINESS IN GILROY BUT NOT FROM A FIXED FACILITY (such as mobile vendors).
These require a Transient Business License and an Identity Permit. Please contact the business license office for more information at 408-846-0420.

Other Business Licenses

Charitable organizations and financial institutions are not required to pay a license fee. However, these are required to complete the application form and obtain signatures in order to be certain that they are occupying a location that is zoned for the use, that their tenant space / building meets the Building and Fire Codes, and for other regulatory requirements that may apply to the organization.

Home occupations are required to file a Home Occupation Permit Application form with the Gilroy Planning Division. The Home Occupation Permit is a 1-time filing. Please call Planning at 408-846-0440 for more information.

Any business location where alcoholic beverages are served at a bar requires a BAR permit.

Any business location where there is dancing to live music requires a DANCE HALL permit.

Apartments where there are more than 3 units to a building require a business license.

HOA's may be required to have a business license

No business or organization may conduct door-to-door solicitation or services without obtaining an identity permit and having one of the business licenses described above.